Four Months Old

Hard to believe, but Madeleine has been here for four months now. And what progress she has been making lately! Rolling over, lifting her head with ease, impervious to needles, creating new noises every day. You know what must be just over the horizon? Solid food. Which according to my sources, invariably means flying food. Advantage Burns!


Here's a super picture I took of Mom and M in her birthday dress.

Nan and Pa(w) with Madeleine in her Calvin Klein jean jacket.

Forever in blue jeans.

Look at the size of that carrot cake. Would you believe that I didn't get a single piece. Seriously.

But I did get a tomato. Yeah. Here is the soon-to-be-Oscar-nominated film, "Mr Burns v. The Cherry Tomato". Incidentally, I am shockingly appalled at the low number of votes in the poll for Mr Burns eating. Come on people.

Bye bye Grandma and Opa

Grandma and Opa's two week visit just flew by. There was just enough time for a few more group photos. One with me.
And one without...

Earlier today Madeleine went to New Westminster and she simply lit up the Royal City with her incredible swing skills.

News flash!!! ISI is going through a baby boom!
Why so serious Madeleine? Opa and Grandma will be back soon!

After a long day, baby M was in bad need of a little shut-eye.

Bust a Move

Yet another cute hat picture. Had enough yet? I didn't think so.

Dad with the two new additions to his life, Baby M and home grown garden produce! Isn't he proud.

Madeleine looking fine in the Jolly Jumper yet again.

And by overwhelming popular demand, video of Baby M in the Jolly Jumper.

Kelowna.

My parents and grandparents decided that they were going to go Kelowna to celebrate my dad's 30th birthday (that's about 210 is dog years). This time I wasn't tagging along, instead I was booked into a dog's-only hotel for the weekend. Lucky me.

When Madeleine heard I wasn't coming, she was a bit worried because she had heard tell of the legend of the Ogopogo, that majestic beast that trolls around lake Okanagan.
"If Mr Burns isn't coming to protect me, can I at least bring my bodyguard Connor?"

Baby M was quickly assured that the Ogopogo was merely a legend, and the odds of an encounter were pretty slim. With that peace of mind, she was back to her ordinary carefree self.

First stop was the local mini-put where the winds were a legitimate rival to those at the British Open. Here, Madeleine gives Opa a hand at pulling the pin.

Back to the hotel in Westbank, really incredible as you can see. If you need a recommendation for a place to stay in the Okanagan, give Mom and Dad a ring. Plus the place allows dogs for a small fee, so next time will be basset time!
What do you think of the view Madeleine, not bad eh?

Inside the hotel room, Dad and Baby M were having a deep discussion over the merits of bonnets.

And then it was time for a little relaxation by the pool.
Oh no, the Ogopogo attacked without warning and ate everything but Dad's head. Yikes.

Lucky for Dad, it was his birthday and for his 30th birthday wish, he asked for a new body. The wish was granted just as this picture was taken of the big 3-0 candle being blown out (with a little help from his daughter).

Another must-see stop was the Mission Hill Winery. The views there were spectacular and the tasting at the end of the tour wasn't bad either.
Grandma, Dad and Madeleine managed to find a barrel of wine just big enough to last Opa for about a week.
Oh no, not even four months old and she's already dancing on bars!


Mom and Madeleine out for a quiet stroll in the local historical nut farm.
NB. Not to be confused with the Funny Farm.
Down by the shore of the lake. Look carefully, that might just be the Ogopogo in the background preparing to strike once again.
Finally here's an amazing treat for all those who persevered until the end of this rather long blog entry.

Caught on film and presented for your enjoyment is Baby M's gift to her daddy. Yes it's true, the first day she rolled over was her father's b-day, what an amazing present.

On the eve of an Okanagan getaway.

Madeleine is very excited about her first trip to the BC interior. Cherries are in season! Just don't tell her that she can't have any. The family leaves tomorrow. Be sure to check back in a couple of days for all the latest pix from the vacation.

Today Madeleine and I were talkin' hockey. Just shooting the breeze really, but when I suggested that the Canucks might have an outside shot at a playoff spot, even without Sundin. She had the following reaction:

What a sweetheart.

Today was actually a big moment for Madeleine. First off she got her portrait pictures back, which are totally sweet. Wallet-sized pictures for all! Second, she got her first go at the famous Jolly Jumper.
Both Madeleine and I are really enjoying the visit from Opa and Grandma.

Baby Madeleine and the Capilano Suspension Bridge

Family meeting being held. Opinions sought on what to do. Silence all around, until yours truly pipes up with a great idea. "Hey why don't we head out to the Capilano Suspension Bridge?" Excitement abounds.


I snapped this great shot of the family as we arrived at the bridge. We got there thinking that we were merely going to be seeing a classic Vancouver tourist destination. We were of course completely unaware of what was about to unfold. If adventure has a name, it must be Baby M.

Yikes, look at what we ran into on our way over the bridge. There is no way out. Escape is seemingly impossible. Hang on to your hats, we're going for a ride.

Whew, suffice it to say that we barely got away by the skin of our teeth (but luckily still had time for a very quick snap-shot from the bridge.)

Speaking of snap-shots, check out Dad & Madeleine stuck in a life-sized portrait. I wonder if we could find a big enough nail to be able to hang that on our wall?

I hope that you enjoyed Baby Madeleine and the Capilano Suspension Bridge. She will return in Baby Madeleine and the Crazy Cow. Obviously a much more serious and darker entry into the anthology.

Oma and Grandma Over for a Visit.

Grandma and Opa were in the neighbourhood, so they swung by for a wee visit with their Granddaughter. 

Hello, Madeleine the camera's over here!

What a showoff! Just because she can stand on two legs... Four legs good, two legs better? We'll see about that!

Time for a family portrait. Now we've got the right idea; the most handsome up front!

What's that up in the sky Madeleine? A bird? A plane? Superman? Or simply the sky?...
Whew, what a day. Hope she's got enough energico for the Capilano Suspension Bridge tomorrow. 

Fabulous Friday Photos.

Another beautiful day in Vancouver and another day for Madeleine to shine. She's looking quite forward to another visit from Grandma and Opa, who arrive tomorrow.


"Don't you like my strawberry shirt?"

Madeleine gives her thumb a go, while still managing to execute a perfect "Blue Steel".

Putting her best foot forward.

Still too cool for school.

A Modern Masterpiece!

Madeleine says: "Hello Dog Blog readers! I hope you are enjoying a fine summer day in BC, Ontario, Newfoundland or wherever you may be".

I'm sure all of the learned readers of this dog blog are quite familiar with Rodin's thinker. You know, this:


Well I am happy to report that the exhaustive global search for a contemporary muse has been successful, and lo and behold it's Madeleine! I now present "The Thinker, 2008 edition":
It addition to becoming a modern day work of art, Madeleine is also picking up a new essential skill. The head being held up on its own! Coming soon, the roll over. I wonder if she'll be like me and like the belly rub? We'll see.

Dad and Baby M, just goofing around.
Girls just wanna have fun. That's all they really want. Is some fun.